SOS-Charities

SB 284 Georgia Law Provides Financial Relief to Fraud Victims

Georgia Senate Bill 284 was signed into law on April 23, 2026, taking effect immediately. The new law authorizes Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, acting as Securities Commissioner, to issue orders requiring that lost investments be repaid directly to defrauded investors — a significant expansion from the prior framework, which allowed only penalties to the state. With these enhanced enforcement tools, affected investors may achieve faster financial recovery, and the Secretary expects a stronger deterrent against scams and Ponzi schemes targeting Georgia residents.

Secretary Raffensperger Ensures Voter Access During South Georgia Wildfires

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is coordinating with South Georgia counties and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to ensure ballot access for voters impacted by recent wildfires. Clinch, Echols, Brantley, and Lowndes counties are among those affected, with parts of Echols County under mandatory evacuation. The largest wildfire near the Clinch-Echols county line has grown to thousands of acres due to drought conditions, creating potential election impacts including power outages, road closures, and possible temporary polling location relocations.

Assured Giving Campaign Promotes Safe Holiday Giving

The Office of the Secretary of State and the Washington State Attorney General's Office have launched the Assured Giving campaign to help Washingtonians avoid charity fraud during the holiday giving season. The campaign provides resources including a charity registration lookup tool, educational webinars, and in-person sessions scheduled across Washington from December 1–7, 2025. Tips include verifying charity registration, checking Better Business Bureau ratings, and avoiding high-pressure solicitations.

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs Opens Business Services in Cheney

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will open a new Eastern Regional Branch of the Corporations & Charities division on January 5, 2026, located at 960 Washington Street in Cheney. The branch, the first multi-service regional location for OSOS outside Thurston County, will offer same-day in-person services including apostille certifications, state business registration, registered agent filings, and trademark filings. This expansion aims to improve access to state business services for residents and organizations in Eastern Washington, reducing travel time to Olympia.

Eastern Regional Branch In-Person Services, Hours Changing April 1st

The Corporations and Charities Division's Eastern Regional Branch in-person service hours will change effective April 1, 2026. This affects business entities and charities that file with or visit the Eastern Regional Branch for in-person services. The posting date is March 26, 2026, and the public is directed to the Contact Us page for updated operating hours.

Savvy Senior Financial Wellness Event Rome GA May 13

The Georgia Secretary of State's Office will host a free Savvy Senior financial wellness event on May 13, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Forum-Riverwalk Ballroom in Rome, GA. The event will feature two moderated panels—one on financial wellness covering retirement planning strategies and one on fraud awareness with speakers from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, Senior Medicare Patrol, and the Securities and Charities Division. The event is free and open to all Georgians, with complimentary continental breakfast provided upon registration.

Secretary Raffensperger to Host FIN FIT Webinar on Finfluencers, May 14

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announces a free FIN FIT webinar titled "Finfluencers: Hype, Help, or Hazard" scheduled for May 14, 2026 at 6pm. The webinar will explore the risks and benefits of financial advice distributed through social media platforms and is moderated by award-winning journalist Donna Lowry with speaker Richard Coffin, CFA, CFP® of WDS Investment Management and host of The Plain Bagel. The FIN FIT program is administered through the Securities and Charities divisions as part of Georgia's multi-faceted financial literacy effort.

Secretary Raffensperger Calls for Suspension of Indicted Macon County Election Director

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger called on April 16, 2026 for the immediate suspension of Macon County Election Supervisor Tarshea Fudge-Riley, who was indicted in U.S. District Court on federal healthcare fraud charges. The indictment alleges Fudge-Riley participated in organizing fraudulent billing for mental health services that were never provided, falsifying documentation and coordinating efforts to defraud public and private health benefit programs. Raffensperger criticized the Macon County Commission for failing to act promptly and emphasized the importance of voter confidence in local election administration ahead of the 2026 Midterms.